Auburn started out strong at the plate, but it was composure on the mound that sealed the win.

The Auburn 10- and 11-year-old Little League All-Stars gave away a five-run lead but Hunter Charles rebounded from early struggles and pitched the team to an 8-7 victory over Cortlandt in the state tournament Monday in the Bronx.

With the win, Auburn advances to the championship series today at 5:30 p.m. against Colonie. Auburn has to win twice to claim the state title as it lost 2-0 to Colonie on Saturday in the double-elimination tournament. Auburn hasn't won the state championship since 1983.

After taking an immediate 5-0 lead, Cortlandt bounced back with seven runs in the bottom of the first inning.

“They came out swinging the bats,” Auburn head coach Mike Charles said. “It was really fast scoring and just took Hunter's confidence.”

Hunter Charles rebounded to give up one hit the rest of the way.

“He came back out with a vengeance,” Mike Charles said. “He found his command and the strike zone. ... He was the Hunter I know. I really had no one else to pitch at this level and we really needed him, he came out there strong.”

Trenton Ward got things started with a leadoff single for the All-Stars. After a Jack Burgmaster walk, Hunter Charles drove in the game's first run with an RBI single. Mike Charles followed with an RBI single and Kevin DiCola capped the inning with a two-out triple.

After falling behind 7-5, Tommy Herbert hit a two-run triple in the second to tie the game. It was one of his two hits.

Herbert answered again in the fifth, getting on base with a single. Brandon Delf had a sacrifice bunt and Noah Christiantelli drove in the eventual game-winner with a base hit.

“Tommy (Herbert) has been a shining star in our lineup,” coach Mike Charles said. “He has been like an A-Rod for our team. Then Brandon (Delf) gave himself up for the win which is a typical Auburn play showing the team effort that this really is.”

Auburn is not only having success on the field, as the team has soaked in the experience in New York.

“The people hosting the tournament have taken our team in like family,” coach Mike Charles said. “It has been an unbelievable experience and everyone here has been fabulous to us, feeding us and really making us feel at home.”

Advancing out of the losers' bracket, Auburn hasn't committed an error in three games. Thus, the squad's confidence level couldn't be higher.

“Mike Charles will be pitching for us,” coach Mike Charles said. “He is our ace and we are on a roll right now. We can definitely beat this team and we are ready.”

Auburn 8

Cortlandt 7